National Award-winning actress Priyamani who gained pan-India popularity with the multiple award-winning web series ‘The Family Man’, opens up on her upcoming films ‘Virata Parvam’ and ‘Maidaan’.

She shares her experience of working with two much-loved actors – Ajay Devgn and Rana Daggubati.

‘Baahubali’ fame Telugu star Rana and Priyamani worked together in the film ‘Virata Parvam’, a Venu Udugula directorial based on a real-life incident.

Talking about working with the stars from two different film industries, Priyamani told IANS: “It is so exciting for me to work with both of them be it Ajay sir and Rana. I knew Rana for a long time and we met also socially but never worked together. Quite interestingly, in ‘Virata Parvam’ even though I am not playing the heroine of the film, I am playing a pivotal part.

“The story is set in the ’90s and it is about a Naxal movement. There are actions, interesting turns of event and shows a socio-political chapter of that time, which is a reality too. Both of us are playing Naxals in the film and I am his second in command. Also, it was quite interesting that we shot this film, after ‘Baahubali’. So it was a huge physical transformation that Rana went through because we all know how huge he became physically during the shoot of Baahubali! Since we had to speak a different dialect of Telugu in the film, we had a lot of rehearsals. I am also looking forward to see how the audience reacts to that”

The actress is also playing the wife of Syed Abdul Rahim, the coach and manager of the Indian national football team in the film ‘Maidaan’ and according to her, since the story of the film is set in a different era the world of that story was very different.

“This is a film I can’t wait for it to release because it’s filled with cute moments between Syed Abdul Rahim and his wife. Of course, Ajay sir is playing Rahim saab and it shows how his wife was his emotional support throughout the journey. As the story is set in Hyderabad, we spoke in Hindi with a Hyderabadi accent…It is in the ’50s era and there was an age gap between Rahim saab and his wife. Rahim saab used to teach his wife the English language and there are some moments in the film that would melt many hearts,” shared the actress.

Apart from these two films, Priyamani is working on the new season of ‘The Family Man’ and will be seen in the upcoming film ‘Bhamakalapam’ that will be released on Telugu OTT platform Aha.

Southern star and National Award-winning actress Priyamani gained pan-Indian visibility with roles in web shows like “The Family Man” and “Ateet”, besides her dance number in the 2013 Shah Rukh Khan-Deepika Padukone blockbuster, “Chennai Express”. She says, given the right opportunity, she would like to explore the Hindi entertainment industry even more.

“It would be interesting to explore an opportunity if Hindi filmmakers think I can fit into any character in a film. I always look forward to expanding my career in the Hindi industry but (I am) certainly not rushing. So far, whatever work that I have done, on web shows and a film, I am very satisfied to be part of such stories,” Priyamani told IANS.

Predominantly worked in south Indian films, the actress has also appeared in multilingual films such as “Raavan” and “Rakta Charitra II”. She made a special appearance for the song “1 2 3 4 Get on the dancefloor” in “Chennai Express”.

Although she reserved to share much, Priyamani will be seen in the Ajay Devgan-starrer “Maidaan”.

Southern film actress Priyamani, who is set to enter wedlock with Mustufa Raj on August 23, says she has no plans of taking a break from work and will return to face the arc lights two days after her marriage.

Priya and Mustufa will have a registered marriage in Bengaluru followed by a reception.

“We opted for registered marriage because we are from different religions. It’s simpler if we register our marriage instead of going the traditional way. It was a decision taken with each other’s consent, and it was the right thing to do,” Priyamani told IANS.

She says she will continue to work after marriage.

“In fact, I plan to return to work two days after my marriage. I’m not taking a break because I have two films lined up,” she said.

Her wedding reception will be a private ceremony.

She has been a part of films such as “Rakhta Charithra 2”, “Golimaar”, “Ragada” and “Grandmaster”.